A reflection of the yellow maple tree leaves changing color in fall weather shine through rain drops in the parking lot of McCants Middle School on Election Day in Anderson on Election Day. (Photo: Ken Ruinard / staff)

South Carolina is expected to get about a week of consistent rain, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service's Greer station.

A flash flood watch has been issued for Anderson, Greenville and surrounding counties from 7 p.m. Thursday until 7 a.m. Saturday, an alert that warns of heavy rains and possibly thunderstorms during the day Friday.

About 1.5 to 3 inches of rain could fall in the next few days, with more rain to follow.

The rain is expected to start Thursday during the day and continue for nearly a week, said meteorologist Steve Wilkinson, from the Greer station.

There could be a brief break in the rain on Saturday but it's back to more rain, Wilkinson said.

"It's going to be a wet seven-day period," he said.

The annual rainfall record for Upstate South Carolina is 78 inches. The current rainfall total of 66 inches will definitely be topped if the forecast holds, Wilkinson said.

The Anderson County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Division is warning residents about the potential for hazardous conditions in the coming days.

The risk is greatest in low-lying areas, as well as in the mountainous parts of the Upstate, Wilkinson said. Traditionally, northern parts of Pickens and Greenville counties get more rain, but that rain will make its way south into Anderson County streams and creeks, he said.

The temperatures for the next week will be high enough that there will be little to no risk of any wintry mix. Most days are expected to have lows in the 40s, with a low of 35 degrees likely on Jan. 2.

Thursday is expected to have a high of 42 and a low of 41. The rest of the week could see highs in the 50s and 60s, according to the National Weather Service forecast.